A large-scale tsunami response exercise will take place in the Caribbean on 25 March. The purpose of this exercise is to test the Tsunami and other Coastal Hazards Warning System for the Caribbean and Adjacent Regions, established in 2005 under the auspices of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC-UNESCO). It is designed to evaluate the response capacity of Caribbean countries and adjacent regions* in the event of a dangerous tsunami.
The organizers** of the test have prepared two scenarii.

As you are aware, each year the Territory joins with several other nations to test their tsunami readiness during the annual simulation exercise, Caribe Wave/Lantex. The 2015 exercise, scheduled for Wednesday, 25th March, 2015, simulates an 8.5 magnitude earthquake located just north of Panama in the southwest Caribbean Sea.

Working environment The intensification of several humanitarian crises in Africa and in the Middle East is keeping global resettlement needs high. Thanks to the generosity of countries such as the United States and Canada, which have large resettlement programmes, many vulnerable refugees are able to find a solution to their plight.

Tropical Storm Gonzalo continues to strengthen as it moves across the Northern Leeward Islands. At 2.00 pm today, October 13, 2014 Tropical Storm Warnings remain in effect for Antigua and Barbuda, Anguilla, Montserrat and St Kitts/Nevis. A Hurricane Warning is in effect for the British Virgin Islands and a Hurricane Watch for Anguilla.

• An earthquake of magnitude 7.3M and depth 40km occurred off the Pacific coast of Nicaragua, on 14 October, 3.51 UTC.

• A Tsunami Threat message was issued on 4.11 UTC by the PTWC, for the coasts of Nicaragua, Honduras and El Salvador up to 300km from the epicentre. JRC calculations indicate a possible tsunami generation of up to 0.1m in the northern coast of Chinandega. The Tsunami warning was discontinued at 4.35 UTC.

DROUGHT: The number of families affected increased to 300,000. The Government and WFP continue distributing food to affected people.

EBOLA: A second case was diagnosed in the USA, representing the first time someone is infected in the country. Countries in the region are strengthening their preparedness plans to deal with possible cases.

Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States
5th & 6th Plenary Meetings (AM & PM)

APIA, 3 September — Proper management of the world’s vast oceans — the lifeline of the planet — and its rich marine life was vital to end degradation of ecosystems, stem biodiversity loss and ensure the world’s food supply, delegates warned as the Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States continued today.

The Ministry of Health and Social Development is continuing its efforts to ensure that the number of cases of Chickungunya in the Territory remain low.

Since the disease was first reported in the Caribbean last December, the BVI has recorded 30 cases. Figures released by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) at the end of August revealed more than 650,000 suspected cases of Chikungunya and close to 8,000 confirmed cases. The PAHO figures also reveal that the death toll in the Caribbean is now at 37, with most deaths reported in Martinique.

Tortola, British Virgin Islands, April 29th, 2014 (DDM) - The British Virgin Islands is TsunamiReady. The recognition has been bestowed on the Territory by the US based National Weather Service (NWS) which piloted the initiative in the United States to promote tsunami preparedness as a collaborative effort in vulnerable communities.